I clearly agree with most of what you're saying as stated in the post. However, there is little reason it couldn't just be fixed and reinstated. These things happen.

There's no end of examples where companies further the customer relationship by offering solutions to problems that are not their fault. I remember being on a train two months ago where a person had been hit on the line. Result a 3 hour delay and I would definitely miss my BA flight that was non-flexible. A call to the Gold line and I was rebooked free of charge. Not BA's fault was it?